For first-time investors
Buying your first investment property? Make it the first step in a long-term plan
Your first investment property should be the first step in a plan, not a one-off purchase. Equimax Property Investment Advisors, a national advisory, starts with your goals and researches the market from macro to micro. Then we help you buy a property that fits, anywhere in Australia, and review your plan with you every year.
“His guidance, meticulousness, advice and knowledge of property was exactly the support I needed to give me the confidence to take the leap to begin investing in property.”
- ★ 5.0 on Google
- 2023 Australian Enterprise Award winner
- Founder: 2024 QPIA Advisor of the Year finalist
- QPIA® accredited
- PIPA member
- Accredited Advisor
Real clients, in their own words
Hear from first-time investors
Equimax clients share what it was like to start investing with us.
Is this you?
- You know property could help your future, but you don’t know where to start.
- You’re worried about picking the wrong property, or the wrong area.
- The advice online is contradictory, and every listing says it’s a great investment.
- You want each step explained in plain English, without pressure.
Feeling unsure is completely normal. A first investment is a big decision, and the fear of getting it wrong is what holds many people back.
We slow things down, build a plan you understand, and replace guesswork with a clear next step, so you feel in control at every stage.
Meet your advisor
Meet Gaurav Bhatia, our founder
Gaurav founded Equimax Property Investment Advisors and leads our advisory team as Director and lead advisor. He brings over two decades of property investment experience and is still an active investor himself, so he knows how daunting a first purchase can feel.
He is an accredited Qualified Property Investment Adviser (QPIA®), and in 2024 he was named a finalist for QPIA Property Investment Advisor of the Year. At Equimax, we build a clear plan with you, explain every step in plain English, and help you make each decision with confidence.
- Founder & Director, Equimax Property Investment Advisors
- Accredited QPIA®
- PIPA member
- Over two decades of property investment experience
- QPIA Advisor of the Year finalist 2024
How we help first-time investors
The same five steps we use with every client. Buying is step four, not the whole job. Steps 1 to 4 take an average of 4 weeks, and we stay with you through to your first tenant and every year after.
- 1
Discovery
Meet your Equimax advisor in a 60-minute strategy session, then complete the interactive Fact Finder online. Together we review where you are now, what you want to achieve, your comfort with risk and your investment goals.
- 2
Strategy
We analyse your numbers and outcomes, model and stress-test the scenarios, and agree your strategy and property investment plan. Your mortgage broker confirms your borrowing capacity.
- 3
Research and shortlist
Using macro-to-micro research, we shortlist one to three properties that align with your plan, each with due diligence on past performance, market value, supply and demand, income and yield.
- 4
Decide and buy
Review the Property Investment Report on your preferred property and make your decision. We then guide the purchase alongside your solicitor, your broker and our purchase support team. If your plan includes building, build guidance and management is an optional part of this step.
- 5
Tenant and yearly review
We support you through to your first tenant and handover to your property manager, then review your portfolio’s performance and plan the next step with you every year.
Step one is a strategy session. Tell us where you are, and we’ll show you what a plan could look like.
Strategy · Research · Acquisition
Why a strategy works better than just buying a property
You’re not just buying a property. You’re building long-term security and financial peace of mind for you and your family. That’s why buying is one step in our process, not the first.
Just buying a property
- Takes advice from well-meaning family and friends, not professionals
- Buys in a familiar location, not one researched for growth
- Buys on emotion or excitement, not as a business decision
- Doesn’t understand all the numbers that matter
- Buys for the short term and hopes for a quick gain
Building with a strategy
- Starts with your goals and your comfort with risk
- Researched from macro to micro, on facts and data, not marketing brochures
- Numbers modelled and stress-tested, so you know your limits
- Plans two to three years ahead
- Reviewed with you every year
Research and modelling before you buy
Macro-to-micro research
State, region, postcode, suburb, then the property itself. Not all properties in a suburb perform the same, so each shortlisted property gets full due diligence.
Funding analysis
Your Property Investment Funding Analysis (PIFA) forecasts the return from purchase to your first tenant, so you understand what’s needed before you commit.
20-year forecast
Your Property Investment Analysis (PIA) aligns your strategy with the property’s expected performance over its first 20 years, with stress-tested scenarios.
Debt strategy and stress tests
Mortgage Scenario Analysis (MSA) compares debt strategies and asks “what if?”, such as higher interest rates or lower rent, so you know your limits before you commit.
Why Equimax
Qualified advice
Equimax is led by founder Gaurav Bhatia, an accredited QPIA® (Qualified Property Investment Adviser) and PIPA member.
Led by an active investor
Our founder brings over two decades of property investment experience and still invests today, so your plan is shaped by real, long-term experience.
Australia-wide
A national advisory, we help investors across Australia and buy where the research points, predominantly in VIC, QLD, WA, NSW and SA.
Research-led
Every property is checked through macro-to-micro research, due diligence and financial modelling before it reaches your shortlist.
An independent advisor
Your plan is built for you, and the property is chosen to fit the plan, never the other way round.
Award-winning
Equimax: Winner, Most Insightful Property Investment Advisors Victoria, 2023 Australian Enterprise Awards (APAC Insider).
Gaurav Bhatia: Finalist, QPIA Property Investment Advisor of the Year 2024.
What first-time investors tell us
“I had a great experience working with Equimax Property Investment Advisors, particularly with Gaurav Bhatia. His professionalism, care, and thoughtful approach to finding the right property made a significant difference in helping me enter the property market. I truly appreciated his transparency, guidance, and the valuable advice he provided throughout the entire process to secure a suitable investment property. I would highly recommend Equimax Property Investment Advisors to anyone seeking reliable property advice and professional investment services”
“Gaurav helped my husband and I purchase our first investment property. We would not have been able to do it without you and we are very grateful. Thank you for your patience, support and understanding our personal financial circumstances to source the right investment property for us. We look forward to securing future property investments with Equimax.”
“We have had a great experience with Gaurav to date, with the view to continue into the future with more investment properties. His method is thorough and he really listened to our needs and developed a tailored plan based on our current situation and our future goals. Being relatively ‘green’ to property investing was no issue as we were provided with a transparent plan, which was extensively researched. Gaurav introduced us to his network of professionals which made the initial transaction very easy. His advice is solid and his knowledge of the industry is quite astounding, he certainly keeps his finger on the pulse. He takes the time and had extreme pride in what he does. Looking forward to what the future brings. If you are considering property investment I would highly recommend you speak with Gaurav.”
Verbatim Google reviews, shown with reviewers’ names as published.
Want that same confidence? Talk to Equimax about your first investment.
Real client story
Using home equity to fund the deposit
How a Melbourne couple made their first investment, with a plan built on research rather than a listing.
The situation
A professional Melbourne couple, both in stable roles, with two young children. They wanted to build wealth and long-term financial security for their family. The hurdle was one many young families face: they had no cash deposit.
The strategy
We started with their goals and their numbers, not a property. Instead of waiting years to save, we looked at what they already had: equity in their own home. That equity funded a 10% deposit, with a 90% investment loan for the balance. With the funding plan clear, we researched the market from macro to micro to find a location that suited their long-term plan.
Why Lakelands, WA
The research pointed to Lakelands, in Western Australia, for three reasons:
- Capital growth potential. Steady value increases, supported by infrastructure.
- Rental demand. A growing suburb with lifestyle amenities.
- Government and infrastructure investment. Transport, schools and retail.
They bought a house in Lakelands in 2023.
The outcome so far
- Purchase price (2023)
- $487,000
- Current market value
- $850,000 bank valuation, June 2026
- Capital growth
- $363,000 about 75% since 2023
- Estimated equity
- $411,700 current value less the original 90% loan of $438,300; estimated, before any principal repayments or refinancing
- Rent at purchase
- $490 a week
- Rent now
- $650 a week
- Total initial outlay
- $81,200 10% deposit ($48,700), settlement costs ($6,500) and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI, $7,000), plus holding costs from reservation until the tenant moved in ($19,000)House and land package: the $6,500 settlement costs include stamp duty, which is payable on the land component only.
What’s next
The equity that has built up in their first property is now the starting point for the next one. They’re refinancing to release equity towards a second investment property, and we review their plan with them every year so each purchase sets up the next.
Figures from the client’s records; current value per bank valuation, June 2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Who this is for
- You’re buying your first investment property, whether or not you own your home.
- You want a long-term strategy, not a quick profit.
- You’d like one qualified advisor to guide you and coordinate the other professionals.
Who this isn’t for
- You want to buy and resell a property quickly.
- You want someone to find the home you will live in.
- You’d rather buy today and plan later.
Your questions, answered
How do I buy my first investment property in Australia?
Start with your goals and your numbers. Work out what you want the property to do for you, confirm your borrowing capacity with a mortgage broker, then choose a strategy before you look at listings. Equimax guides first-time investors through five steps: discovery, strategy, research and shortlist, decide and buy, then your first tenant and a yearly review.
What does a property investment advisor do for a first-time investor?
A property investment advisor helps you set a strategy, researches locations and properties that fit it, and coordinates the professionals you need, such as your broker, solicitor and property manager. At Equimax, we also review your plan with you every year.
Who does Equimax work for?
We work for you, the investor. Equimax plans your strategy, researches the market and guides your purchase, working alongside your mortgage broker, solicitor and accountant.
Do I need to live near my first investment property?
No. Many investors buy where the research points rather than where they live. Equimax is a national advisory that buys Australia-wide, predominantly in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia.
Why is research so important before buying an investment property?
Because your first property should serve a long-term plan, not just look good in a listing. Before anything reaches your shortlist, we research the market from macro to micro, carry out due diligence on the location and property, and model and stress-test the numbers against your goals.
Do I need a mortgage broker before I talk to Equimax?
No. If you already have a broker, we work alongside them. If you don’t, we can introduce you to professionals in our network so your finance and strategy work together from the start.
How long does it take to buy a first investment property with Equimax?
Steps 1 to 4, from your first strategy session to acquiring your property, take an average of 4 weeks. Every situation is different, so treat this as a guide rather than a guarantee. We’ll talk you through the timing for your plan at the strategy step.
What happens after settlement?
We help with the handover to your property manager, then meet with you every year to review how the property is performing and whether it’s time to plan your next step.
Lead advisor at Equimax. Accredited QPIA® (Qualified Property Investment Adviser) and PIPA member, with over two decades of property investment experience. Finalist, QPIA Property Investment Advisor of the Year 2024. Under his leadership, Equimax won Most Insightful Property Investment Advisors Victoria at the 2023 Australian Enterprise Awards.
Ready to take your first step?
Talk to the Equimax team about your goals. No pressure, just a clear next step and a plan you understand.
Head office: Level 1, 530 Little Collins St, Melbourne
What happens in your strategy session
- Choose a time that suits you. Book online, or call us. Your strategy session takes about 60 minutes.
- We talk about you. Your situation, your goals, what’s worrying you. Ask anything.
- You leave with a clear next step. We explain what a plan could look like and the typical timing: an average of 4 weeks from starting with us to acquiring a property. You decide if and when to go ahead.